Samuel huffman



ANIMAL-TRAP.

' PATENTED Samuel Huffm an,

FEB 25 I868 are! SAMUEL HU MAN; 01 ESTFI' IJD,iLLlnors.

Letters Patent No. 74,759, dated February 25, 1868.

IMPROVED ANIMAL-TRAP.

at: sane retard it in the writers iiiilitlti in making out at its trait.

TO ALL .WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it'known that I, SAMUEL HUFFMAN, of Westfield, in the county of Clark, in the State of Illinois, have invented a new Improvement in Animal-Traps and I do declare that the following isa full description thereof, and mode of operation, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which-'- Figure 4 is a perspective view; v I Figure 2 is across-section'of A A, and longitudinal section of B, fig. 4. Figure 3, a perspective view of B, fig. 4. Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of A A, fig. 4, and cross-section of B, fig. A.

For convenience I use a cubical-formed box, havinga partition, m, figs. 1 and 4, also two lids, one, 'fig. 4, used as a cover, also to allow the cylinder B to be placed in and taken out at pleasure. Cap or lid K has wire over it, to admit light, and used for taking out the animal. In one chamber of A A, I place a cylinder on pivot L, figs. 3, 1, and 2, that it may turn easily. The cylinder has a chamber, 13', in it, longitudinal between-the centre and circumference, open at each end, shown at c, figs. 1, 3, and 4, and a sectional view,e c,

fig.- 2. There are corresponding holes on each side of box A A, opposite to Chamber B has a'hole in its side, shown at D, in the figures. The chambers F F are covered with any suitable substance. I here represent wire as shown at F, figs. 4 and 3, I also form a baitholde'r, the bottom projecting into the hollow chamberBQ shown at E, fig. 1, represented as open at F, fig. 3. The partition at has a hole or opening through at the bottom, through which the animal passes from the hollow of B into chamber 71,, fig. 1. The bait-holder should have a wire screen between the animal and bait, throughwhieh the animal can see and smell the bait-,but

cannot get it.

Operation.

Place'bait in the pan E, close :22, alsokl', The trap,lwhen set, shows an opening entirely through it, looking from c to a, through box A and cylinder or chamber B. When the animal enters at c to get the bait, its weight will move the cylinderin the direction of the arrow at D, until D arrives opposite z", stopped by H" at H, fig. 1. Theopening in B at c is closed by the opposing sides oi' A.,,wh en D is at a; so, the animal finding its egress cut oti', runstoescape, and passes through opening D and 2', into chamber a. The chamber side of B being then lighter than the other half, causes the cylinder B te balance back, bringing D back to its former quiescent position shown at D, fig. 1, thus setting the trap for another animal. The animal which passed into n, finds-its exit out ed at 2' by the moving back of the cylinder, and is kept in it until taken out through K. I use balls of lead, or any suitable substance, in cup or chamber G, fig. 1, for the purpose of counterbalance. In addition to the gravity of the animal, I use lcaden balls, or any suitable substance, in any suitable form, (balls being the best,) to give additional weight to that side in wliich'the animal is, for the purpose of bringing the hole D to 2' much quicker. This is done as follows: The animal enters at a into 13', its weight moves B slightly in the segment of a circle, which changes position of chamber F, and.the ball 0 rolls quickly to the opposite end of its chamber, and on the side, with the animal giving additional weight to that side, at a certain time,

bringing it down quicker and farther than, it would move'without the ball. As the cylinder moves back the r ballreverses position, andassists returning the trap to its former and proper position quicker after ball 0 passes the centre on the backward motion, when it is set. I use a cylinderyas I think to be the best form, suspended on pivots, and moving'in a circularv form, but do notcontine myself strictly'to the form laid down in drawings, as it can be easily varied. For instance, a square case, instead of cylinder, might be substituted, suspended from the arm ofa balance, or more than one arm,'and weights, as counterbalance, like scales, and having hollow arms. Ballsmight be-used to roll from one side to the other of centre of gravity or fulcrum, and assist the animal in bringing its side down after the animal should escape. v-Gounterbalance, as scales, would start the lighter side or cubic ease up, and the ball or balls roll to the opposite side, and effect a similar object, as I. use. them in cylinder 13, at F, in the figures.

, Having shown my trap thus fully, I do not claim ensnaring animals by their own gravity, for that is well known; nordo I claima'plat'form on which the animal may place itself. An animal, in my opinion and expe rience, can be enticed into a place having a passage entirely through more easily than whewone opening only ,is presented. Therefore, I use an enclosed case, having a charnber passing entirely through it.

' I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The pivoted chamber BQturning on its axis, furnished with two opposite openings, 0 c, and the lateral opening D, a,s and for the purpose specified; or equivalent.

2. I'claim, incombination' with revolving chamber B, the auxiliary balls, as described. 4

SAMUEL HUFFMAN.

Witnesses:

1350. Conway, 0. F. WI'ESON'J 

